Paris, France — It was among the first countries to become independent from the ex-Soviet Union in 1991 and the last country to be Christianized in Europe in 1387. The energetic and innovative Baltic land of Lithuania on the southeastern shores of the Baltic Sea has for more than a millennia been home to a rich folklore, arts, crafts and song. The Sutartines, Lithuania’s polyphonique music performed by female singers in northeast Lithuania, are inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The country has also preserved one of the oldest Indo-European languages in Europe, Lithuanian, the official language of the land. A land that awaits to be discovered.

And Lithuania has come to France and subsequently the world at large this year with a vibrant program — the participation of over 500 artists and 200 events— of exhibitions, visual arts, performing arts, music, dance, gastronomy and even a circus taking place in cities and venues throughout the country. Organized by the Lithuanian Culture Institute and the Institut Francais in Paris, The Lithuanian Season in France 2024 revolves around the theme of The Other/The Same which in French is Se Voir en L’Autre and in Lithuanian Kitas tas pats. It is an invitation to discover Lithuania’s past but also its present and scenarios for the future through cultural events. But while the arts play a major role in the season, diplomacy, the economy and science are all on the agenda as well with the aim to embody diversity. Similar events are being played out simultaneously in Lithuania. While the three-month season officially lasts until mid December, many of the shows and events run into the early months of 2025.

The season is revolving around three key themes: imagining the 21st century, the multiple realities of the global village and diversity and identity, including communities that are at times marginalized or even neglected, i.e. immigrants, migrants and the LGBTQ+ communities. Among the high points of the season is a discovery of modern and contemporary Lithuanian art at the Pompidou Centre with the participation of the National Museum of Lithuania. The show offers a journey into the heart of the country’s artistic creation and showcases the op art of the abstract master Kazys Varnelis. Full program at: https://saisonlituanie.com/ ©Trish Valicenti for The Gourmet Gazette